Signs & Wonders Blog

During my youth, many nations were engulfed in the Cold War. It was a period of intense competition between the United States and its allies against the spread of communism. By the early 1990s, the Soviet Union, the dominant communist power, had collapsed due to financial difficulties. That marked a turning point for the former Eastern Bloc nations, as they experienced freedom for the first time in years. However, communist governments still exist in China, Cuba, Laos, Vietnam, and North Korea.  Last Sunday, I embarked on a prayer walk and evangelized in the vicinity of George Floyd Square . The first person I approached had given me a flyer promoting the Communist Party USA. I offered him a gospel tract in exchange. Matt and I went on to have a cordial conversation that lasted approximately five minutes. Instead of attempting to refute his political beliefs, I focused on explaining the importance of eternal life. Matt revealed that his son is Catholic and has been attempting to c...

Five years ago today, a tragedy happened in Minneapolis that impacted the world. A black man named George Floyd died while being in police custody. He was arrested for passing a counterfeit $20 bill at a convenience store. A video from a bystander’s cellphone that went viral showed officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on Floyd’s neck for several minutes while he complained, “I can’t breathe.” Like most people, I first assumed Chauvin caused Floyd’s death. Later, I realized this was an example of circumstantial evidence .  The 2023 documentary “ The Fall of Minneapolis ” revealed details largely withheld from the general public. George Floyd had multiple drugs in his system. Police body camera videos showed him resisting arrest and refusing to be placed in the back of a squad car while handcuffed. That’s why Floyd needed to be restrained. He uttered “I can’t breathe” even before Chauvin’s knee was on his neck. I believe drugs plus preexisting health conditions killed Floyd. The four arres...

When Donald Trump first ran for president in 2016 , numerous celebrities threatened to leave the United States if he got elected. I’m not aware of any of them following through on that after Trump moved into the White House. Nevertheless, they renewed their threats during the 2020 and 2024 elections.  Since Trump returned to the Oval Office two months ago, I heard of two actresses who left the country to “escape” the new administration. Ellen DeGeneres moved to the U.K. Rosie O'Donnell fled to Ireland but still posts anti-Trump content on her social media accounts. I wish someone would tell Rosie and others like her to grow up. Most Americans don’t care what Hollywood thinks about certain politicians. If things are supposedly much worse under a Trump administration, why are many foreigners still seeking to move here? Yes, the number of illegal migrants has gone down. Still, this nation offers opportunities for those who come here legally and assimilate as law-abiding cit...

As a child, I became a Minnesota Vikings fan and memorized National Football League statistics. Sometimes I made up fictitious leagues. I created nicknames and uniforms for these teams in my mind’s eye. I also rooted for competitors like the United States Football League to succeed. Because the NFL has become a multi-billion dollar monopoly, a new league will unlikely give them a serious challenge soon. The USFL recently made a comeback but has since merged into what’s now the United Football League, a minor league playing in the spring. In recent years, I’ve cut back on watching NFL games . To save time, I watch highlights on YouTube (especially when the Vikings are playing well). I also don’t like recent changes the league made. If, by some act of God, they made me the NFL commissioner, I would like to see the following things happen: Expansion. The league now plays a few regular-season games in London and Mexico City. Many U. S. cities desire an NFL franchise. Eight might be to...

Like many God-fearing Americans, I was grateful to see Donald Trump return to the White House last Monday. I watched the inauguration at Rodney Howard-Browne ’s church (which played on the video screens during their Winter Campmeeting). I was happy to hear the president declare, “We will not forget our God.” However, some clergy aren’t happy about this. Among them is Episcopal bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, who oversees 86 churches across D.C., and Maryland, with 38,000 members. She previously made critical remarks about the president during his first term in office. On the day after Trump's second inauguration, Budde delivered the homily at an interfaith prayer service held at the Washington National Cathedral. The final part of her sermon was directed at President Trump who sat in the front row. Here are portions of what she said:  “Millions have put their trust in you. And as you told the nation yesterday, you have felt the providential hand of a loving God. In the name of our ...

A few days ago, I walked by a house that had Halloween decor in their front yard along with signs promoting Democratic politicians. I thought the possibility of a Harris - Walz administration was more scary than the ghosts hanging from the trees. Creepy decorations are usually on display for a few weeks during the year. The election of bad politicians has longer negative effects. Fortunately, enough God-fearing Americans voted so that Donald Trump will return to the White House. Not since Grover Cleveland has a president served two non-consecutive terms. Unlike the previous two elections, Trump also won the popular vote. It was just before 8:30 p.m. EST last Tuesday when I started watching the Victory Channel’s election coverage. Although Kenneth Copeland had prophesied a Trump victory, I had concerns the Democrats would attempt to use invalid ballots to steal the election like what happened in 2020 . Again, some news sources declared Kamala Harris the winner of certain states b...

Last Sunday morning, presidential candidate Kamala Harris spoke at the Church of Christian Compassion in Philadelphia. I did some research to find out more about this inner-city fellowship. Their website mentions them having an evangelism ministry. However, one outreach to encourage voting was sponsored by the Democratic Party. I don’t understand how professing Christians can align with a political platform that promotes abortion and perverted lifestyles. They must be biblically ignorant or in denial. Fortunately, not every congregation member approved of Harris’ appearance. In response to a YouTube video of the Vice-President’s speech, one woman commented: “Omg, This is my church, I am not pleased with this. I’m glad I wasn’t there. Pastor (W. Lonnie) Herndon, please do better.” There were a few hecklers present at the Church of Christian Compassion, Harris’ response to them was “That’s why we fight for our democracy.” Then she repeatedly clapped her hands while saying, “Every voic...

Dear Macklemore, This letter is a response to your comments at the recent Palestine Will Live Forever Festival. First, let me tell you about myself. I could be considered a rapper since I rap better than sing. Years ago, I pursued a career in the recording industry . I worked as a disc jockey plus produced electronic music that received national radio exposure. Then in the 1990s, I committed my life to Jesus and became a missionary. Occasionally, I glance at the Billboard website to see what’s happening with the music scene. I first became familiar with you in 2013 when your gay anthem “ Same Love ” became a hit. A short time later, a friend who performs Christian rap in parades added “And We Danced” and “Can’t Hold Us” to his repertoire but with rewritten lyrics. I helped him remix the parodies of your songs. You once told an interviewer, “I want to be someone who is respected and not just in terms of my music. I want to be respected in terms of the way that I treat people.” I ...

Americans shouldn’t take their voting rights for granted. Soldiers have died so that we have the freedom to choose our leaders. Since becoming a Christian in 1991, I’ve made it a point to vote in every presidential election. Billy Graham once said, “It is the duty of every individual Christian at election time to study the issues and candidates and then go to the polls and vote.” We have a responsibility to elect politicians who enact policies in line with Scripture. Some individuals don’t like standing in long lines to cast their ballot. Yet they will do so to buy tickets to a rock concert or a sporting event. On Election Day 1992, I had to work during business hours and attend an evening meeting. So I voted early a few days before. Back then I lived in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. I remember walking into City Hall to cast my ballot and saw Jesse Ventura there. He was mayor of the city then but six years later became governor. Due to my travels as a missionary, I’ve often requested ...